Rep. Azzinaro joined ‘Honor Flight’ to Washington D.C. over the weekend

STATE HOUSE – Rep. Samuel A. Azzinaro (D-Dist. 37, Westerly) joined 50 World War II and Korean War veterans for the 15th Rhode Island Honor Flight trip to Washington D.C. last Saturday, June 3. The trip was organized by the Rhode Island Association of Fire Chiefs Foundation.

“This was a tremendously moving experience to be a part of as we witnessed our nation’s heroes visit the monuments that were erected in their honor for serving our country so bravely and selflessly. It is a memory I will never forget and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to give back to our brave veterans for all that they have done over the course of history,” said Representative Azzinaro, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.

The trip began at 5 a.m. at the fire station next to Ann & Hope in Warwick. From the fire station, the veterans and volunteers were transported to T.F. Green Airport by a police and fire escort. At the airport, the veterans were greeted by police, firefighters and military members at attention. The veterans were then escorted through the airport by marching bagpipers. Once in our nation’s capital, the veterans were greeted with similar welcomes as they visited our national monuments, many for the first time in their lives. The Honor Flight returned back home to Rhode Island at 11 p.m. the same day.

The Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created solely to honor America’s veterans for all their sacrifices. They transport our heroes, at no cost, to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials. Top priority is given to the senior veterans – World War II survivors, along with those other veterans who may be terminally ill.

Rep. Samuel A. Azzinaro (D-Dist. 37, Westerly) and former United States Senator Bob Dole at the World War II Monument in Washington D.C. during the 15th RI Honor Flight trip